Southwest Valley student killed in crash

 CORNING – A sophomore who had been attending Southwest Valley High School for about a month is being remembered as a “bright light” with a “kind spirit” after he was killed in a car accident Thursday morning. 

Christian Silva, 15, had just left home on his way to the Corning high school when his 1999 Chevrolet Silverado collided with a 2006 Peterbilt at the intersection of 200th street and Vanilla Avenue in Adams County. 

According to the Iowa State Patrol, Silva was driving south on Vanilla Avenue when he failed to stop at a stop sign. The Silverado then collided with the side of the tractor trailer, driven by John Paxson, 37, of Mt. Ayr. 

After colliding with the semi, Silva’s vehicle continued through the intersection before rolling over onto its top into the east ditch. 

The tractor-trailer, which was headed east on 200th street, came to rest in the south ditch off the road. 

A state medical examiner pronounced Silva dead at the scene of the accident. Paxson was treated for minor injuries at the scene. 

Both Silva and Paxson were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident. 

Funeral services for Silva are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17 at the First Baptist Church in Creston. 

To accommodate students who want to attend the services, Southwest Valley Schools will provide transportation, with a bus leaving the high school at 9:40 a.m. It will return to the school after the services and students will be provided lunch when they return.

Students need to notify the high school office if they plan on attending the funeral. 

According to the obituary published by Powers Funeral Home, Silva lived his entire life in Creston after being born there in 1999. After attending Mayflower Christian School for two years, he was homeschooled through ninth grade, before attending Southwest Valley this fall, where he played baseball and lettered in golf. 

While this may have been his first semester attending classes at the high school in Corning, he made a quick impression on one teacher. 

“I enjoyed having Christian in Introduction to Engineering Design class and was looking forward to seeing his skills develop,” Heidi Lumbard stated on an online memorial to Silva.  “He already had a great eye for 3D shapes and made beautiful sketches for our lessons so far. His smile, and kind spirit will be truly missed.”

Sharon Meyers, a counselor at Southwest Valley, echoed Lumbard’s sentiments regarding  Silva’s personality. 

“Christian was a bright light for many students and staff who will keep his memory alive. My thoughts and prayers are with you,” she wrote.